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| A cross section of constituents of St. Pauls Constituency
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Charlestown Nevis (October 20, 2005) Constituents of the St Pauls community were on Wednesday afternoon given the opportunity to raise concerns about the ongoing developments in their constituency and in particular the development of the play field in the Ramsbury area, which the Minister of Infrastructure, the Hon A Michael Perkins, views as the highlight of his being in government.
Perkins, who is also the Area Representative, made the observation during a meeting with the constituents at the Charlestown Primary School. He said, I view it (play field) a part from everything else I have done within government, to be really the highlight of my being in government and this is what I set out to do from the very beginning to serve and to bring things to the community that would benefit all.
He told the gathering that included Premier, the Hon Mr. Vance Amory and other ministers of government, Mr. Robelto Hector, parliamentary candidate for the opposition Nevis Reformation Party for St. Pauls and personnel of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, that prior to him being elected to office, he had approached the land owner and had said to him that there was a need for a play field in the constituency and that the government had looked at the entire St. Pauls community and found that there was no other feasible area on which a play field could be constructed.
This was the last remaining track of land covering about ten acres that something like this could have been done, said Minister Perkins. He also expressed that he had asked the landowner if he would be kind enough not to sell any more land at that time and he agreed to and that about a year ago, cabinet had finally negotiated and purchased the three and a half acres where the field is located.
An update as to the progress of the play field was given and the area representative pointed out that the ongoing fencing of the play field was a self help project where he sought sponsorships. He also mentioned that persons from within the area had agreed to come together and fence the field instead of depending on the government to do that. Mention was also made of the lighting facilities where Minister Perkins said that while he was on government duty in Miami, had cause to look at lighting facilities.
The area representative also gave an update of ongoing work in the Ramsbury area, where a number of drainage facilities are being constructed to alleviate the flow of water following heavy rains. The construction of steps is expected to be added to the adjoining basketball field which leads to the Charlestown Primary School, where the children use the slope area to get to the school.
He also mentioned that steps would also be available to and from the play field in the area of the school so that the children can have an easy access to the ground.
Several suggestions, comments and questions came from the floor which included the supervision of the facility, what type of sporting accommodation would be provided as well as the formation of a community and or a social club. It was also suggested that when the community centre is constructed, that it be used as an emergency shelter. Mr. Spencer Brand of Brand Architectural Services has been contracted to provide an overall plan for the field and the environs and that the plan would include suggestions from the meeting.
